Article of repose for supporting the body of a person



A. LORENZ March 31, 1959 ARTICLE OF 'REPOSE FOR SUPPORTING THE BODY OF A PERSON 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed June 6, 1949 IN VEN TOR. Fn Lon L D 2 51V 2 Fffamfif,

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March 31', 1959 LORENZ 2,879,832

ARTICLE OF REPOSE FOR SUPPORTING THE} BODY OF A PERSON Original Filed June 6, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 330 5'85 304 3' 596 F298 O 332 f 300 \f l M340 see (92o T-388 INVENTOR. H1171 L 0 E/VZ A. LORENZ 'March 31, 1959 ARTICLE OF REPOSE FOR SUPPORTING THE BODY OF A PERSON 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Original Filed June 6, 1949 INVENTOR. ntm. LUK 2 March 31, 1959 :A. LORENZ ARTICLE OF REPOSE FOR SUPPORTING THE BODY OF A PERSON 4 Sheeis-Sheet 4 Original Filed June 6, 1949 INVENTOR. Ai AME I- United States Patent ARTICLE OF REPOSE FOR SUPPORTING THE BODY OF A PERSON Anton Lorenz, Boynton Beach, Fla.

Original applications June 6, 1949, Serial No. 97,370, and October 14, 1953, Serial No. 385,985, new Patent No. 2,827,108, dated March 18, 1958. Divided and this application May 26, 1954, Serial No. 432,397

5 Claims. (Cl. 155-106) The present invention relates generally to reclining chairs, and in particular to an improved reclining chair of the type including a seat and back-rest coordinated for movement with respect to each other such that the seat is inclined as a function of the reclining movement of the chair. This is a divisional application of copending application Serial No. 97,370, filed June 6, 1949 and en titled A Reclining Article of Furniture, now abandoned, and Serial No. 385,985 filed on October 14, 1953 and entitled An Article of Repose for Supporting the Body of a Person, now U.S. Patent No. 2,827,108 of March 18, 1958.

It is generally known to construct reclining chairs which include a seat and back-rest movably mounted on a support for inclining and reclining movement respectively and a leg-rest disposed beneath the forward end of the seat and coordinated to the movement of the back-rest such that the leg-rest is elevated in response to the reclining movement. Accordingly, when the occupant is seated in the chair and leans gainst the back-rest, the seat and back-rest are displaced from the normal upright or sitting position to various reclining positions, with the leg-rest moving upwardly and outwardly to an elevated leg-supporting position such that the seat, back-rest and leg-rest are oriented to comfortably accommodate the chair occupant in any one of a number of reclining positions.

Broadly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved linkage for coordinating and controlling the seat and back-rest of a reclining chair of the aforesaid general construction. Specifically, it is within the contemplation of the present invention to provide an improved coordinating and controlling linkage effective to bring about the elevation of the forward portion of the seat and the lowering of the rearward portion of the seat to impart a prescribed inclination thereto as a function of the reclining movement of the back-rest.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a reclining chair incorporating an improved coordinating and controlling linkage which promotes the smooth operation and ready manipulation of the chair into various reclining positions under control of the chair occupant.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide an improved reclining chair wherein the required angular relationship may be established between the seat and back-rest for comfortably accommodating the chair occupant in various reclining positions, with the attainment of proper balance in such various reclining positions and relatively smooth chair operation.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide an improved reclining chair wherein the chair balance in the various reclining positions is such that a slow rearward or reclining movement may be realized as the chair occupant moves the chair components from the upright or sitting position into the various reclining positions, with a comparatively easy return of the chair com ponents to the upright or sitting position.

In accordance with an illustrative embodiment demonstrating features and advantages of the present invention, my improved reclining chair comprises a support, a backrest having a depending rigid extension disposed in a substantially upright sitting position and pivoted adjacent its lower end on the support such that the back-rest is mounted for reclining movement, and a seat having a forward portion which is pivoted adjacent its rearward end to the back-rest, with the pivot for the seat being disposed above the pivot for the back-rest and in position to translate through a rearward and downward are upon reclining movement of the back-rest about its pivot on the support. A guiding link is disposed below the seat in a forwardly inclined position extending forwardly and upwardly from its lower end to its upper end, with theguiding link being disposed in the forwardly inclined position when the back-rest is in the upright sitting position. Means are provided which pivotally connect the upper end of the guiding link to the forward portion of the seat and further means are provided which pivotally connect the lower end of the guiding link on the support. The upper end of the guiding link is movable through an upwardly and rearwardly directed are such that the guiding link moves into a further forwardly inclined position to elevate the forward portion of the seat in response to the reclining movement of the back-rest about its pivot on the support. This reclining movement of the backrest is simultaneously effective to cause the pivot of the seat on the back-restto move through a rearward arc. The movement of the pivot for the seat through a rearward arc and the movement of the guiding link through the upwardly and rearwardly directed are causes a compound inclining movement of the seat which increases the angle between the seat and back-rest as a function of the reclining movement.

Means are operatively connected to the support and effective to urge the back-rest into the upright sitting position with the guiding link in the first mentioned forwardly inclined position. This means may either take the form of a spring operatively connected to the bodysupporting means and support and effective to urge the back-rest into the upright sitting position, or, more advantageously, may take the form of a leg-rest disposed beneath the forward portion of the seat and appropriately connected to the chair to serve in part as a counterbalance to maintain the back-rest in the upright sitting position until positively urged by the chair occupant into a reclining position.

The above brief description, as well as further objects, features and advantages of the present invention, will be more fully understood by reference to the following detailed description of several illustrative embodiments demonstrating features and advantages of the present invention, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. l is a side elevational view of an improved reclining chair in the form of a desk chair embodying features of the present invention shown in the upright or sitting position. i

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view, similar to Fig. 1, but showing the chair in the reclined position;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary rear elevational view of the chair shown inFigs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view, with parts broken away, of an improved reclining chair embodying a legrest and illustrating further features of the present invention, the full line showing the chair in the upright sitting position and the broken line showing the chair in a reclined position;

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view with parts broken away, of a further reclining chair embodying a leg-rest illustrating further features of the present invention, the

full line showing the chair in the upright sitting position and the broken line showing the chair in a reclined positlon;

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of a still further reclining chair useful in a motor vehicle or the like, with the full line showing the chair in the upright sitting position and the broken line showing the chair in a reclined position;

Fig. 7 is a side elevational view with parts broken away, of a still further reclining chair embodying a legrest and demonstrating further features of the present invention, the full line showing the chair in the upright sitting position and the broken line showing the chair in a reclined position;

Fig. 8 is a side elevational view, with parts broken away, of a still further reclining chair embodying a legrest and demonstrating further features of the present invention, the full line showing the chair in the upright sitting position and the broken line showing the chair in a reclined position; and,

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 99 of Fig. 8.

Referring now specifically to Figs. 1 to 3 of the drawings, there is shown a reclining chair suitable for use as a desk or ofiice chair which comprises a support, generally designated by the reference numeral 20, and incorporating a base 22 mounted on wheels having a threaded upright upon which is mounted a supporting plate or bracket 24. Upon vertical adjustment of the supporting plate or bracket 24, as is generally understood, the same is disposed in a fixed relationship to the base 22 and for all intents and purposes may be considered to be a single support or chair frame.

The chair incorporates a body-supporting means including a back-rest 26 which is normally disposed in a substantially upright sitting position and is pivoted adjacent its lower end at a back-rest pivot 28 on the supporting plate 24 of the support such that the back-rest is mounted for reclining movement (see Fig. 2). Extending substantially horizontally is a seat 30 which is pivoted adjacent its rearward end at a back-rest pivot 32 on the back-rest 26 for inclining movement. The seat pivot 32 is disposed above the back-rest pivot 28 and in position to translate through a rearward and downward are upon reclining movement of the back-rest about the pivot 28 on the support, as may be seen by progressively inspecting Figs. 1 and 2.

Disposed below the seat 30 in a forwardly inclined position are a pair of guiding links 38 which extend forwardly and upwardly from their lower end to their upper end, with the guiding links 38 being in the forwardly inclined position of Fig. 1 when the back-rest is in the upright sitting position. Means are provided which pivotally connect the upper ends of the guiding links 38 to the forward portion of the seat 38. In this embodiment the pivotal connecting means takes the form of an inverted U-shaped bracket 34 (see Fig. 3) which is fixed to the underside of the seat 30 and includes a pair of depending spaced legs or lugs. The upper portions of the respec tive guiding links 38 are disposed outwardly of the depending legs or lugs 36 and a single pivotal connection 40 straddles the legs and links to pivotally connect tee guiding links 38 to the seat 36. Means are provided for pivotally connecting the lower ends of the guiding links 38 to the support which means takes the form of a single pivotal connection 42 which straddles the guiding links and is connected to the supporting plate 24. The upper ends of the guiding links 38 and the pivotal connection 48 to the seat is movable through an upwardly and rearwardly directed are into a further forwardly inclined position (see Fig. 2) to elevate the forward portion of the seat in response to reclining movement of the back-rest 26 about the back-rest pivot 28. Such reclining movement of the back-rest 26 is simultaneously effective to cause the seat pivot 32 to move through a rearward are (see Fig. 2). The movement of the seat pivot 32 through the rearward arc and the movement of the guiding links 38 through the upwardly and rearwardly directed arc causes a compound inclining movement of the seat 30 which increases the angle between the seat 30 and the back-rest 26 as a function of the reclining movement.

Means are operatively connected to the support and effective to urge the back-rest into the upright sitting position, with the guiding link in the starting forwardly inclined position illustrated in Fig. 1. In this embodiment a spring 44 is provided intermediate the guiding links 38 and the supporting plate 24 which has its upper end connected to the guiding links 38 by a transversely extending rod 46 and its lower end connected to a forwardly extending rigid extension 48 on the supporting plate 24.

Underlying at least one of the guide links 38 is a stop 50 fixed to or formed integrally with the supporting plate 24 which limits the clockwise pivotal movement of the guiding links 38 under the influence of the spring 44 to establish the forwardly inclined starting position for the guiding links 38. A further stop 62 is fixed to or formed integrally with the supporting plate 24 and is in position to abut and engage the guiding links 38 after a prescribed movement of the guiding links 38 through an upwardly and rearwardly directed arc into a further forwardly inclined position (see Fig. 2) wherein the forward portion of the seat has a prescribed inclination imparted thereto by the conjoint elevation of the forward portion of the seat and the lowering of the rearward portion thereof.

The desk-type chair is completed by the provision of an arm-rest 52 at each side thereof each of which has a pivotal connection 54 at its rearward end to the backrest 26 at a point spaced above the seat pivot 32 and a pivotal connection 56 to the upper end of a connecting link 58 which has a pivotal connection 60 at its lower end to the seat 30.

When the chair occupant is seated in the desk-type chair, and leans against the back-rest 26, the back-rest is swung through a rearward are against the biasing eifect of the spring 44 from the upright sitting position illustrated in Fig. 1 to the reclined position illustrated in Fig. 2. The rearward reclining movement of the backrest causes the seat to move rearwardly, with the front portion of the seat 30 being lifted by the action of the guiding links 38 and with the rear portion of the seat being lowered by the displacement of the seat pivot 32 relative to the back-rest pivot 28. Such reclining movement continues until such time as the guiding links 38 abut the stop 62 whereupon the fully reclined position is established for the chair. When the chair occupant leans forwardly, the spring 44 assists in returning the back-rest 26 and the seat 30 to the upright sitting position illustrated in Fig. 1, which position is established by the stop 50. It will be appreciated that the coordinating and controlling linkage includes the portion of the support between the back-rest pivot 28 and the guiding link pivot 42 as a stationary link and the portion of the back-rest intermediate the back-rest pivot 28 and the seat pivot 32, the seat 30 intermediate the seat pivot 32 and the pivotal connection 40, and the guiding link as movable links of such constrained linkage.

Referring now specifically to Fig. 4 there is shown an improved reclining chair demonstrating further features of the invention which include a support 320 which is made up of side frames or members 384, 386 which are interconnected by transverse bracing bars or members 388. A back-rest 326 is pivotally mounted adjacent its lower end on the support 220 at a back-rest pivot 328.

A seat 330 having a seat pivot 332 adjacent its rearward end is pivotally mounted on the back-rest 326 at a point spaced above the pivot 328 of the back-rest 326 pivot 328 is such that the seat pivot will translate rearwardly upon a reclining movement of the back-rest 326. In the illustrative position of the seat pivot 332, that is slightly rearwardly beyond a position vertically above the pivot 328, the seat pivot 332 will translate through a downward arc at the start of reclining movement of the back-rest.

Disposed below the seat 330 is a guiding member 390 which includes a guiding link or arm 338 disposed in a forwardly inclined position. The guiding link 338 extends forwardly and upwardly from its lower end to its upper end when the back-rest 326 is in the upright sitting position. The guiding member 390 which is in the form of a bell crank, is pivoted on the support at the pivot 342, the pivot 342 providing a pivotal connection at the lower end of the guiding link 338 to the support 320. The upper end of the guiding link 338 is pivotally connected to the seat at the pivot 340. The reclining movement of the back-rest 326, in addition to causing the seat pivot 332 to move rearwardly, causes the pivot 340 of the guiding link 338 to move upwardly in a rearwardly directed are such that a compound inclining movement is imparted to the seat 330 which increases the angle between the seat and the back-rest as a function of the reclining movement of the chair.

3 Positioned beneath the forward end of the seat 330 is a leg-rest 398 which is disposed in the stored position and is movable into various elevated positions forwardly of the seat 330. In this embodiment, the leg-rest 398 is swingably mounted at a leg-rest pivot 300 on the forward end of the seat 330 by means of a depending hanger 312. Linkage means are operatively connected to the movably mounted leg-rest 398 to elevate the legrest as a function of the compound inclining movement of the seat 330. The linkage means includes the having a pivotal connection 392 at its lower end to the lower end of the link 339 and a pivotal connection 396 at its upper end to the leg-rest 398. The leg-rest 398 serves as a biasing means for returning the movable components of the reclining chair from the reclined position to which the chair is brought by the seat occupant to the upright sitting position.

The reclining movement of the chair is limited by a stop 304 which is in position to abut the guiding link 338 of the guiding member 390 when the guiding link 338 approaches the vertical or upright position illustrated by the broken lines. A stop 302 is in position to abut the depending extension of the back-rest to properly orient the chair components in the sitting position.

In order to facilitate a more thorough understanding of the present invention a typical operating sequence of the chair will be described:

When the chair occupant is seated in the chair and leans back against the back-rest 326, the rearward portion of the seat will move through a rearward and the pivot 342 which elevates the forward portion of the seat 330 such that the seat experiences a compound inclining movement. Turning of the guiding member 390 in the counterclockwise direction about its pivot 342 will cause the depending arm or driving link 339 to impart a thrust to the controlling or connecting link 394 such that the leg-rest 398 is elevated in coordination to the compound inclining movement of the seat via the linkage 394, 339 and 338.

Referring now specifically to Fig. 5, there is illustrated a further embodiment of a reclining chair in accordance with the present invention which is similar in many respects to the construction illustrated in Fig. 4. Accordingly, corresponding parts in Fig. 5 will be designated by reference numerals as part of the "400 series. However, in Fig. 5, the leg-rest support and control is somewhat different from that illustrated in Fig. 4 and will be described in detail. The leg-rest 498 is movably mounted on the chair by 9. depending hanger 412 which has a pivotal connection 414 at its upper end to the forward portion of the seat 430. The connecting or controlling link 494 is pivoted at an intermediate pivot 410 to the depending hanger or arm 412. The downwardly extending arm 416 of the controlling link 494 has a pivotal connection 492 at its lower end to the driving link or extension 439 of the guiding member 490 and the other arm 408 has a pivotal connection 406 to the upper end of the leg-rest 498. The lower end of the depending hanger 412 is coupled to the leg-rest by a further controlling link 419 which has a pivotal connection 418 at its rearward end to the hanger 412 and a pivotal connection 421 at its forward end to the leg-rest 498.

As before, appropriate stops are provided for limiting the movement of the chair between the upright sitting position illustrated by the full line in Fig. 5 and the full 0 reclined position illustrated by the broken line. In this embodiment, an abutment or stop i423 limits the movement of the guiding member 490 in a clockwise direction to establish the upright sitting position for the chair and an abutment or stop 425 limits the counterclockwise movement of the guiding member 490 which in turn establishes the fully reclined position of the chair.

The chair operates essentially in the manner previously described in connection with Fig. 4 with the leg-rest being controlled by the compound including movement of the seat from the driving link or arm 439 by the linkage 494, 412 and 419.

Referring now specifically to Fig. 6 of the drawings, there is shown a further reclining chair suitable for use in a motor vehicle or the like which comprises a support, generally designated by the reference numeral 520.

The chair further incorporates a body-supporting means including a back-rest 526 having a depending rigid extension which is normally disposed in a substantially upright sitting position and is pivoted adjacent its lower' end at a back-rest pivot 528 on the support 520 such that the back-rest is mounted for reclining movement (see dotted line showing of Fig. 6). Extending substantially horizontally is the seat 530 which is pivoted adjacent its rearward end by rigid hangers 527 at a back-rest pivot 532 on the back-rest 526 for inclining movement. The seat pivot 532 is disposed above the back-rest pivot 528 and in position to translate through a rearward and downward are upon reclining movement of the back-rest about the pivot 528 on the support, as may be seen by progressively inspecting the full and broken line showing of Fig. 6.

Disposed below the seat 530 in a forwardly inclined position is a guiding link 538 which extends forwardly and upwardly from its lower end to its upper end, with the guiding link being in the forwardly inclined position when the back-rest is in the upright sitting position.

A pivotal connection 540 is provided between the upper end of the guiding link538 and the forward portion of the seat 530. Further a pivotal connection 542 is provided between the lower end of the guiding link 538 and the support. The upper end of the guiding link 538 and the pivotal connection 540 to the seat 530 is movable through an upwardly and rearwardly directed are into a further forwardly inclined position (see the dotted line showing of Fig. 6) to elevate the forward portion of the seat in response to reclining movement of the back-rest 526 about the back-rest pivot 528. Such reclining movement of the back-rest 526 is simultaneously effective to cause the seat pivot 532 to move through a rearward arc. The movement of the seat pivot 532 through the rearward arc and the movement of the guiding link 530 through the upwardly and rearwardly directed arc causes a compound inclining movement of the seat 530 which increases the angle between the seat 530 and the backrest 526 as a function of the reclining movement.

Means are operatively connected to the support 526 and effective to urge the back-rest into the upright sitting position, with the guiding link in the starting forwardly inclined position illustrated by the full lines in Fig. 6. In this embodiment a spring 544 is provided intermediate the seat 530 and the support 520.

Depending from the seat 530 are legs 529 which limits the clockwise pivotal movement of the guiding link 5138 under the influence of the spring 544 to establish the forwardly inclined starting position for the guiding link. A further stop 531 is fixed to the support 520 and is in position to abut and engage the back-rest 526 after a prescribed reclining movement.

When the vehicle occupant is seated in the vehicle seat, and leans against the back-rest 526, the back-rest is swung through a rearward are against the biasing effect of the spring 544 from the upright sitting position illustrated by the full lines in Fig. 6 to the reclined position illustrated by the broken lines in Fig. 6. The rearward reclining movement of the back-rest 526 causes the seat 530 to move rearwardly, with the front portion of the seat 530 being lifted by the action of the guiding link 538 and with the rear portion of the seat being lowered by the displacement of the seat pivot 532 relative to the back-rest pivot 528. Such reclining movement continues until such time as the back-rest 526 abuts the stop 531 whereupon the fully reclined position is established for the vehicle seat. When the vehicle occupant leans forwardly, the spring 544 assists in returning the back-rest 526 and the seat 530 to the upright sitting position illustrated by the full lines in Fig. 1, which position is established by the depending legs 529.

Referring now specifically to Fig. 7 there is shown a further improved reclining chair demonstrating features of the invention which include a support 621) which is made up of side frames or members which are interconnected by transverse bracing bars or members 688. A back-rest 626 is pivotally mounted adjacent its lower end on the support 620 at a back-rest pivot 628. A seat 630 has a seat pivot 632 adjacent its rearward end which pivotally mounts the seat 630 on the back-rest 626 at a point spaced above the pivot 628 of the back-rest 626 on the support 620. The rigid depending extension of the back-rest 626 intermediate the pivots 628, 632 serves as a mount arm for the back-rest on the support. The disposition of the seat pivot 632 above the back-rest pivot 628 is such that the seat pivot will translate rearwardly upon a reclining movement of the back-rest 326.

Disposed below the seat 630 is a guiding link or arm 638 which is disposed in a forwardly inclined starting position. The guiding link 338 extends forwardly and upwardly from its lower end to its upper end when the back-rest 626 is in the upright sitting position. The lower end of the guiding link 638 is pivoted on the support at the pivot 642. The upper end of the guiding link 638 is pivoted to the seat 630 at the pivot 640. The reclining movement of the back-rest 626, in addition to causing the seat pivot 632 to move rearwardly, causes the pivot 640 of the guiding link 638 to move upwardly in a rearwardly directed are such that a compound inclining movement is imparted to the seat 630 which increases the angle between the seat 630 and the backrest 626 as a function of the reclining movement of the chair.

Positioned beneath the forward end of the seat .630 is a leg-rest 698- which is disposed in the stored position and is movable into various elevated positions forwardly of the seat 630. In this embodiment, the leg-rest 698 is swingably mounted at a leg-rest pivot 600 on the forward end of the seat 630 by means of a depending hanger. A controlling link 694 is operatively connected to the movably mounted leg-rest 698 to elevate the leg-rest as a function of the compound inclining movement of the seat 630. The connecting or controlling link 694 has a pivotal connection 696 at its lower end to the lower end of the leg-rest and a pivotal connection 633 at its upper end to the support. The leg-rest 698 serves as a biasing means for returning the movable components of the reclining chair from the reclined position to the upright sitting position.

The reclining movement of the chair is limited by a stop 625 which is in position to abut the guiding link 638 when the guiding link 638 approaches the vertical or upright position illustrated by the broken lines. The cross brace 638 serves as a stop to properly orient the chair components in the sitting position.

Referring now specifically to Figs. 8 and 9 there is shown a still further reclining chair demonstrating features of the invention which include a support 210 which is made up of side frames or members which are interconnected by bracing bars or members. A back-rest 222 is pivotally mounted adjacent its lower end on the support 210 at a back-rest pivot 226 and includes a downwardly extending rigid extension 274 depending below the pivot 226. The chair further includes a seat 216 having a seat pivot 218 adjacent its rearward end which pivotally mounts the seat 216 on the back-rest 222 at a point spaced above the pivot 226 of the back-rest 222 on the support 210. The disposition of the seat pivot 218 above the back-rest pivot 226 is such that the seat pivot 218 will translate rearwardly upon a reclining movement of the back-rest 222. In the illustrative position of the seat pivot 218, that is slightly rearwardly beyond a position vertically above the pivot 226, the seat pivot 218 will translate through a downward arc at the start of reclining movement of the back-rest 222.

Positioned below the seat 216 is a guiding link or arm 292 disposed in a forwardly inclined position. The guiding link 292 extends forwardly and upwardly from its lower end to its upper end when the back-rest 226 is in the upright sitting position. The lower end of the guiding link 292 is pivoted on the support at the pivot 296, while the upper end of the guiding link 292 is pivoted to the seat at the pivot 294. The reclining movement of the back-rest 222, in addition to causing the seat pivot 218 to move rearwardly, causes the pivot 294 of the guiding link 292 to move upwardly in a rearwardly directed are such that a compound inclining movement is imparted to the seat 216 which increases the angle between the seat and the back-rest as a function of the reclining movement of the chair.

Positioned beneath the forward end of the seat 216 is a leg-rest 258 which is disposed in the stored position and is movable into various elevated positions forwardly of the seat 216. rest 258 is swingably mounted at a leg-rest pivot 260 on the forward end of the seat 216 by means of a depending hanger.

Linkage means are operatively connected to the movably mounted leg-rest 258 to elevate the leg-rest as a function of the reclining movement of the back-rest 222. The linkage means includes the depending arm or rigid extension 274 of the back-rest 222 serving as a driving link which extends below the pivot 226. The rigid extension or driving link 274 is connected to the leg-rest 259 by a connecting or controlling link 268 having a pivotal connection 272 at its rear end to the lower end of the link 274 and a pivotal connection 270 at its forward end to the leg-rest hanger. The leg-rest 258 serves as a biasing means for returning the movable components of .the

In this embodiment, the leg- 1 9. reclining chair from the reclinedposition to the'upright sitting position.

The reclining movement of the chair is limited by an adjustable stop 278 movable in the arcuate slot 280 which is in position to abut the forward side of the depending rigid extension 274 of the back-rest 222. A stop 276 is in position to abut the rearward side depending rigid extension 274 of the back-rest 222 to properly orientthe chair components in the sitting position.

Reference will now be made to Fig. 9 for a description of the means by which the stop 278 is adjusted within the arcuate slot 280 provided in the side frame 246 of the support 210. A threaded sleeve 290 is rigidly connected to the stop 278 which is guided within the slot 280 and is coupled to a driven bevel gear 286 by means of a coupling shaft or rod 288 which is journaled on the side frame 246. The driven bevel gear 286 is engaged by a right angle driving bevel gear 284 which is likewise journaled on the support and may be manually operated by a handle or crank 282. Upon turning the crank in one direction the stop is adjusted toward one limit of the slot, and upon turning of the handle in the opposite direction the stop is adjusted toward the opposite limit of the slot.

When the chair occupant is seated in the chair and leans back against the back-rest 222, the rearward portion of the seat 216 will move through a rearward and downward arc, the radius thereof depending upon the spacing of the seat pivot 218 from the back-rest pivot 226. Simultaneously the guiding link 292 moves through an upwardly and rearwardly directed are about the pivot 296 which elevates the forward portion of the seat 216 such that the seat experiences a compound inclining movement. The reclining movement of the back-rest 222 will cause the depending arm or driving link 274 to impart a thrust to the controlling or connecting link 268 such that the leg-rest 258 is elevated.

The hanger serves as a first connecting means to the leg-rest 258 such that the reclining movement is effective through the portion of the back-rest intermediate the pivots 226, 218 serving as a driving or actuating link, the seat 216 and the first connecting means to impart a pull to the leg-rest; and simultaneously the rigid depending extension 274 of the back-rest serving as a driver or actuating link and the link 268 serving as a second connecting means to the leg-rest is effective to impart a push to the leg-rest such that the pull-push action on the leg-rest elevates the leg-rest in response to the reclining movement of the backrest.

A latitude of modification, change and substitution is intended in the foregoing disclosure and in some instances some features of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the spirit and scope of the invention herein. a

What I claim is:

1. An improved reclining chair comprising a support, a back-rest having a depending rigid extension disposed in a substantially upright sitting position and pivoted adjacent its lower end on said support and mounting" said back-rest for reclining movement, a seat having a forward portion and pivoted adjacent its rearward end to said back-rest, the pivot for said seat being disposed above the pivot for said back-rest and in position to translate through a rearward and downward are upon reclining movement of said back-rest about its pivot on said support, a guiding link disposed below said seat in a forwardly inclined position extending forwardly and upwardly from its lower end to its upper end, said guiding link being in said forwardly inclined position when said-back-rest is in said upright sitting position, means pivotally connecting said upper end of the guiding link to said forward portion of said seat, means pivotally connecting said lower end of said guiding link on said support, said upper end of said guiding link being movable through an upwardly and rearwardly directed are such that said guiding link moves into a further forwardly inclined position to elevate said forward portion of said seat in response to said reclining movement of said back-rest about its pivot on said support, said reclining movement of said back-rest being simultaneously effective to cause the pivot of said seat on said back-rest to move through a rearward arc, the move ment of the pivot for said seat through a rearward arc and the movement of the guiding link through the upwardly and rearwardly directed arc causing a compound inclining movement of said seat which increases the angle between said seat and back-rest as a function of said reclining movement, and means operatively connected to said support and effective to urge said back-rest into said upright sitting position with said guiding link in said first mentioned forwardly inclined position.

2. An improved reclining chair comprising a support, a back-rest having a depending rigid extension disposed in a substantially upright sitting position and pivoted adjacent its lower end on said support and mounting said back-rest for reclining movement, a seat having a forward portion and pivoted adjacent its rearward end to said back-rest at a point spaced from the pivot of said backrest on said support, the pivot for said seat being disposed above the pivot for said back-rest and in position to translate through a rearward and downward are upon reclining movement of said back-rest about its pivot on said support, a guiding link disposed below said seat in a forwardly inclined position extending forwardly and upwardly from its lower end to its upper end, said guiding link being in said forwardly inclined position when said back-rest is in said upright sitting position, means pivotally connecting said upper end of the guiding link to said forward portion of said seat, means pivotally connecting said lower end of said guiding link on said support, said upper end of said guiding link being movable through an upwardly and rearwardly directed are such that said guiding link moves into a further forwardly inclined position to elevate said forward portion of said seat in response to said reclining movement of said back-rest about its pivot on said support, said reclining movement of said back-rest being simultaneously effective to cause the pivot of said seat on said back-rest to move through a rearward and downward arc to lower said rearward end of said seat, the elevation of said forward portion of said seat and the lowering of the rearward end of said seat causing a compound inclining movement of said seat to increase the angle between said seat and back-rest as a function of said reclining movement, and a spring operatively connected to said seat and to said support and effective to urge said back-rest into said upright sitting position with said guiding link in said first mentioned forwardly inclined position.

3. An improved reclining chair comprising a support, a back-rest having a depending rigid extension disposed in a substantially upright sitting position and pivoted adjacent its lower end on said support and mounting said back-rest for reclining movement, a seat having a forward portion and pivoted adjacent its rearward end to said back-rest at a point spaced from the pivot of said backrest on said support, the pivot for said seat being disposed above the pivot for said back-rest and in position to translate through a rearward and downward are upon reclining movement of said back-rest about its pivot on said support, a guiding link disposed below said seat in a forwardly inclined position extending forwardly and upwardly from its lower end to its upper end, said guiding link being in said forwardly inclined position when said back-rest is in said upright sitting position, means pivotally connecting said upper end of the guiding link to said forward portion of said seat, means pivotally connecting said lower end of said guiding link on said support, said upper end of said guiding link being movable through an upwardly and rearwardly directed are such that said guiding link moves into a further forwardly inclined position to elevate said forward portion of said seat in response to said reclining movement of said backrest about its pivot on said support, said reclining movement of said back-rest being simultaneously effective to cause the pivot of said seat on said back-rest to move through a rearward and downward arc to lower said rearward end of said seat, the elevation of said forward portion of said seat and the lowering of the rearward end of said seat causing a compound inclining movement of said seat to increase the angle between said seat and back-rest as a function of said reclining movement, and means operatively connected to said support and effective to urge said back-rest into said upright sitting position with said guiding link in said first mentioned forwardly inclined position, said last-named means including a leg-rest disposed beneath the forward portion of said seat, and link means operatively connecting said leg-rest to said seat and back-rest whereby said leg-rest serves in part as a counterbalance to maintain said back-rest in said upright sitting position until positively urged by the chair occupant into a reclining position.

4. An improved reclining chair comprising a support, a back-rest having a depending rigid extension disposed in a substantially upright sitting position and pivoted adjacent its lower end on said support and mounting said back-rest for reclining movement, a seat having a forward portion and pivoted adjacent its rearward end to said back-rest, the pivot for said seat being disposed above the pivot for said back-rest and in position to translate through a rearward and downward are upon reclining movement of said back-rest about its pivot on said support, a guiding link disposed below said seat in a forwardly inclined position extending forwardly and upwardly from its lower end to its upper end, said guiding link being in said forwardly inclined position when said back-rest is in said upright sitting position, means pivotally connecting said upper end of the guiding link to said forward portion of said seat, means pivotally connecting said lower end of said guiding link on said support, said upper end of said guiding link being movable through an upwardly and rearwardly directed arc such that said guiding link moves into a further forwardly inclined position to elevate said forward portion of said seat in response to said reclining movement of said back-rest about its pivot on said support, said reclining movement of said back-rest being simultaneously effective to cause the pivot of said seat on said back-rest to move through a rearward arc, the movement of the pivot for said seat through a rearward arc and the movement of the guiding link through the upwardly and rearwardly directed arc causing a compound inclining movement of said seat which increases the angle between said seat and back-rest as a function of said reclining movement, and means operatively connected to said support and elfective to urge said back-rest into said upright sitting position with said guiding link in said first mentioned forwardly inclined position, said last-named means including a leg-rest disposed beneath the forward portion of said seat, first connecting means operatively connecting said leg-rest to said seat, second connecting means operatively connecting said leg-rest to said extension of said back-rest, said reclining movement being effective through said seat and first connecting means to impart a pull to said leg-rest and being effective through said extension and said second connecting means to impart a push to said leg-rest such that said leg-rest is moved to an elevated leg-supporting position in response to said reclining movement.

5. An improved reclining chair comprising a support, a back-rest having a depending rigid extension disposed in a substantially upright sitting position and pivoted adjacent its lower end on said support and mounting said back-rest for reclining movement, a seat having a forward portion and pivoted adjacent its rearward end to said back-rest, the pivot for said seat being disposed above the pivot for said back-rest with the portion of said back-rest intermediate said pivots providing a first actuating link which is in position to translate through a rearward and downward are upon reclining movement of said back-rest about its pivot on said support, said extension providing a second actuating link which is in position to translate through a forward and upward arc upon reclining movement of said back-rest about its pivot on said support, a guiding link disposed below said seat in a forwardly inclined position extending forwardly and upwardly from its lower end to its upper end, said guiding link being in said forwardly inclined position when said back-rest is 'in said upright sitting position, means pivotally connecting said upper end of the guiding link to said forward portion of said guiding link on said support, said upper end of said guiding link being movable through an upwardly and rearwardly directed arc such that said guiding link moves into a further forwardly inclined position to elevate said forward portion of said seat in response to said reclining movement of said back-rest about its pivot on said support, said reclining movement of said back-rest being simultaneously effective to cause the pivot of said seat on said backrest to move through a rearward arc, the movement of the pivot for said seat through a rearward arc and the movement of the guiding link through the upwardly and rearwardly directed arc causing a compound inclining movement of said seat which increases the angle between said seat and back-rest as a function of said reclining movement, and means operatively connected to said support and effective to urge said back-rest into said upright sitting position with said guiding link in said first mentioned forwardly inclined position, said last-named means including a leg-rest disposed beneath the forward portion of said seat, first connecting means operatively connecting said leg-rest to said seat, second connecting means operatively connecting said leg-rest to said extension of said back-rest, said reclining movement being effective through said first actuating link, seat and first connecting means to impart a pull to said leg-rest and being eifective through said second actuating link and said second connecting means to impart a push to said leg-rest such that said leg-rest is moved to an elevated leg-supporting position in response to said reclining movement.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,295,122 Moeller Sept. 8, 1942 2,433,521 Lorenz Dec. 30, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS 42,408 France Apr. 25, 1933 820,791 France Aug. 8, 1937 

